Education Reform Groups Work with Parents

After using radio ads and petitions to build support for their agenda, education reform groups are now using "parent training" workshops in an effort to create community cohesion behind their efforts.

Both New Schools for Chicago, which funds charter schools, and Stand For Children, an Oregon-based group that recently opened offices in Chicago, have been conducting parent teaching sessions this spring.

On Saturday, both will be hosting ceremonies to wrap up their training.

New Schools for Chicago has held three six-week instructions for nearly 100 parents on everything from how to determine whether a school is good or not, to how they can advocate for their children both in school and at the district level.

The organization will be hosting its event at 10:30 am at the 63rd Street Beach House, 6300 S. Lake Shore Drive, with parents, clergy, business owners and community leaders. It will celebrate the parents who have gone through New Schools' training, but it will also kickoff a series of parent-led initiatives like round table discussions, house parties and town halls.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend and they're being asked to sign an online pledge at http://www.newschoolsnow.org/speak-out, calling for schools to meet five criteria like strong academic programs, quality instruction and meaningful testing or face change. The pledge also has parents agreeing to bring more high quality schools to their communities.

Stand for Children had its own "university for parents" at two turnaround schools run by the Academy for Urban School Leadership, Bradwell School of Excellence and Sherman School of Excellence.

Stand for Children said it is hoping to increase parent knowledge and involvement. The organization's trainers emphasize building a child's self-esteem and high expectations for children, along with tracking their performance.

The group's ceremony for 30 newly trained parents will be held at 1 p.m. at Bradwell school, 7736 S. Burnham. The group plans other parent sessions in the fall.